Perhaps it’s a holdover from grad school, but I really, really love concrete goals and objectives. A syllabus. Plans. Planners! It may be cliché, but I do enjoy setting some benchmarks for myself and for the year and when better to do than in the first week of the year? To that end, I am going to share some of my goals for the year.
These are, ultimately, fairly chill goals. I don’t have anything ridiculous (I think) on this list.
A few notes before I get into the nitty gritty.
- When I am trying to limit something (a food, purchasing something, doing something) it’s for reasons that are entirely my own. I don’t think that anyone else should also limit that thing. I’ll try to explain why I’ve selected this goal and what I’m hoping to achieve by limiting or eliminating.
- Same for things I am trying to do. Just because I want to, doesn’t mean anyone else should either.
- Goals are at their basis something to work towards, but working towards goals that no longer serve my current needs/situation is not something that I want to do. I reserve the right to change my mind and adapt my goals.
- Similarly, I’ve built some exceptions into my goals in order to make them realistic and attainable.
- I am not sharing all of my goals. Just the ones I’m okay with sharing. 🙂
Thus, in no particular order, my goals of 2024.
Improve my financial situation.
Ideally–in all things–I’d like to end each year in a ‘better’ place than I started. This is especially true with finances. After years and years in graduate school making negative dollars, I have some catching up to do in this scenario. I have a few things that I am attempting in 2024 to get there.
No Buy List
I saw some folks on social media updating folks on their no-buy lists for 2023. Intrigued, I watched a few videos to get a sense of what they were putting on their list and realized that this type of list was something I kind of tried to do on the regular, but hadn’t ever thought through it consciously. So I put together a 2024 no-buy list to both save some cash and reduce clutter.
- Soap – Body, Hand, Face, Laundry, Dish, Shampoo, Conditioner etc. (Unless I run out completely.)
- Make-Up & Beauty Supplies – Except replacing mascara.
- Home Decor – Except frames for crafts.
- Fabric – Only to complete WIPs already underway.
- Target Dollar Section Stuff – PERIOD. I DON’T NEED ANY OF IT.
- Cat Toys – PERIOD. THEY LIKE TRASH.
- Random Gifts – PERIOD. IT’S USUALLY FOR YOUR NEPHEW AND HE DOESN’T NEED ANYTHING ELSE. Only birthday and Christmas.
- Candles – Use the large collection of candles that I already have.
- Office Supplies – Notebooks, pens, etc. Use what you already have.
- Video Games – Switch and phone. You have several games to complete.
- Drinkware – No Yetis, Stanleys, or mugs. Even if you want another place to put stickers. This, logically, might also restrict my sticker purchases!
- LIMIT: You can only have 2 lattes out per week.
- LIMIT: Only purchase one book a month, preferably at an Indie Bookseller.
- LIMIT: Magic spoon order, twice per year.
Things that are on other people’s no buy lists that I didn’t put on mine: Clothes, certain types of cleaning products, kitchen appliances or gadgets, bedding, office supplies, art supplies (this is kind of on mine, in office supplies), rugs, cars, tools, jewelry, shoes, plants, gardening supplies, lawn items, subscription services (everything from streaming services like Netflix and Spotify to meal-kit deliveries like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh), coffee, LOTS of food items. Some folks had more umbrella items that they wouldn’t purchase: fast fashion, plastic, non-biodegradable items. Some went so far to say they wouldn’t eat out, travel, etc. Some of these seem far too restrictive to me, but as I said before, to each their own! Also, I think this is a highly subjective list to put together–it all depends on what your spending habits are and what about them you want to change.
Reduce Debt
Like most Americans, I have debt, both credit card and student loans. I would really like to reduce the majority or half of my credit card debt by half this year. (This is sustainable.
Move
In 2022, my apartment complex raised my rent $300+ (a 25% hike). Most of my neighbors have moved out–I learned from one that the year after their $300+ hike, their rent was raised $800, thus they were leaving. I was angry enough about the first hike–the second hike (which matches what they’re charging new residents, albeit new tenants get a whole lot of upgrades) would be entirely unsustainable. Thus in 2024, I’ll be finding something that hopefully works for my budget and my work-from-home life.
Take care of my mind and body.
Honestly, this encompasses the rest of the list!
Move My Body
Generally, I’d like to do 2 group-exercise classes per week as well as go for 1 or 2 30+-minute walks.
Read
Every year I set a reading goal and I almost always meet it. Last year had a lot of slumps, and that makes sense because a lot of my free time was occupied by job hunting. This year I hope to read at least 65 books.
Finish WIPs
I have several in-the-works quilts, all at various stages, that I’d like to finish, ideally before buying any new materials.
Declutter
Since I’ll be moving this year, there are plenty of things I can stand to get rid of. I hope to reduce craft supplies, books, media, kitchen stuff, and just memorabilia that I just store.
Socialize Consciously
I am happier when I have regular social interaction. I moved to Nashville with a pre-existing friend group and I have made some great friends since moving here. But I want to give myself more opportunities to socialize, and be more proactive in socializing.
Write!
I love to write, weirdly, which is good, since I’ve done a lot of it in my life. There are a lot of things I want to write and I know that the best way to get there is to make it a habit.
That’s it, my 2024 goals for public consumption!
I am excited about these goals and for the plans that I have in the future, which I think makes it a more achievable, sustainable plan. I’m sure there will be moments where I either regret or doubt the sustainability of my goals, but I’m not looking for perfection. One of my favorite grad school mottos–“Perfection is the enemy of the good”–sums up my mentality for tackling these 2024 goals. I’ll take good over perfect.
Chronicles of a Homebody Adventurer 
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